The cold touch of the floor against my palms was slowly being overtaken by the warmth spreading through my body.
I caught the faint sound of Lilia-san’s breathing in my ear. My nerves were so frayed that I could feel the rise and fall of her chest against mine with startling clarity. My heart hammered against my ribs, and the realization that she could almost certainly feel its rhythm only deepened my embarrassment.
However, the pulse I felt wasn't just my own.
Lilia-san seemed just as nervous as I was; I could feel her heart racing against my own chest. I was currently pinned on top of her, facing to the right, while she looked the opposite way. I couldn't see her face, but at this distance, the sound of her breath was so intimate it made my head spin.
It wasn't that the situation was unpleasant, but the heavy, stifling silence made me feel small and pathetic. I was always causing trouble for Lilia-san. Even when I finally tried to lend a hand, it ended like this. I was filled with a crushing sense of guilt.
Perhaps it was the weight of the silence that pushed me, but I felt an overwhelming need to speak my mind.
“…Lilia-san.”
“Y-Yes!?”
“…I’m sorry for always being such a burden.”
“……Eh?”
Lilia-san, who had been listening with bated breath, let out a confused sound.
“Have you ever actually been a burden to me, Kaito-san?”
“……Huh?”
She didn't sound like she was teasing. She sounded genuinely puzzled.
…Why did she seem so confused? Don’t tell me I’ve made her faint so many times she’s developed amnesia?
“…Kaito-san?”
“—!? S-Sorry.”
She spoke just as I was spiraling into thought, as if she’d seen right through me. I apologized reflexively.
Lilia-san let out a soft, melodic laugh.
“Fufu, what is it, Kaito-san? You’ve done nothing but apologize for the last few minutes.”
“…No, well, you know… it’s never on purpose, but I end up meeting all these people and getting dragged into things, and I feel like I’m constantly making your life difficult, Lilia-san…”
“That’s true. Goodness, you’ve certainly given me my share of surprises, troubles, and worries.”
“Ugh, I’m sorry.”
Hearing the reality of it directly from her only made my guilt heavier.
Lilia-san fell silent for a moment after my third apology, then replied in a gentle, warm voice.
“…But I have never once… considered any of it a burden, you know?”
“……Eh?”
“I have never felt unpleasant because of you, Kaito-san. Nor have I ever felt that I was at a disadvantage because of your presence.”
“…Why?”
I had been certain I was a constant nuisance. I’d made her faint countless times and brought her to tears more than once. Yet here she was, telling me she didn't find it unpleasant.
“Well, if you were maliciously harassing me or enjoying my distress, I might feel differently… but that isn’t the case, is it?”
“No.”
“Then I have no reason to think of you as a burden.”
“……”
She was kind—far too kind, I thought.
“…Please forgive me for… overreacting or getting angry. I’m not a perfect person. I lose my temper sometimes, and I cry sometimes too.”
“I understand.”
“And yes, you do trouble me every single time. Truly… I’d appreciate it if you could leave a bit more of a gap between incidents. At this rate, my stomach won’t hold out… I think I’ve even lost weight.”
“Ugh, I-I’m terribly sorr—!?”
Just as I was about to apologize again to Lilia-san, who had begun her complaints in a teasing tone, I felt her arms wrap around my back. She held me in a gentle embrace. Pressed closer than before, her heartbeat thundered in my ears as her calm voice drifted up to me.
“However… if I were asked whether I liked or disliked you, Kaito-san… I would say that I like you.”
“…Lilia-san?”
“…You are a truly difficult person. You never let me maintain my facade as a cool-headed Duke. You’re reckless and intimidating in so many ways… and yet, you are always so kind, so warm and considerate. How could I ever… dislike someone like you?”
“……”
Her words were sincere, devoid of any pretense. They soaked into my heart with a comforting warmth.
I felt a profound sense of relief that she was the one who had summoned me. A wave of gratitude that felt very much like happiness washed over me.
“…Well, even so, please try to go a bit easier on me. I’m really at my limit…”
“I’ll do my best.”
“…That’s a very concerning answer.”
“…Haha.”
“…Fufu.”
We both shared a quiet laugh. I felt as though the distance between our hearts had shortened, and it filled me with joy. I decided then that I should offer her words of thanks rather than apologies.
“Um, Lilia-san?”
“Yes? What is it?”
““—!?!?””
Intending to thank her, I casually turned my head toward her. At that exact moment, Lilia-san turned to face me. Our eyes met at a distance closer than we had ever been.
“…Li-Lilia-san……”
“…Kai…to-san……”
We were so close we could feel the warmth of each other’s breath. I was so embarrassed I wanted to look away immediately, yet I found myself captivated by her blue eyes. I couldn't tear my gaze away. My voice leaked her name, and she whispered mine in return.
Her glossy, soft-looking lips, her flushed cheeks, and those beautiful, trembling eyes… it was all so incredibly provocative.
A silence stretched out where a single second felt like an eternity. Lilia-san slowly closed her eyes… and then, we heard footsteps.
“…Oh.”
““Huh?””
Hearing the voice, I looked up along with Lilia-san, who had snapped her eyes open. There stood Lunamaria-san, looking distinctly awkward. It seemed she had realized Lilia-san hadn't returned and had come looking for us sooner than expected.
“…It seems I’m intruding. My apologies… I shall return in, say, ‘two hours.’”
“Wait!? W-Wait a minute, Luna! This is a misunderstanding!!”
“…It seems spring has finally arrived for Milady. I, Lunamaria, am moved to tears of joy.”
“Are you even listening to me!? It’s a misunderstanding!! Help us, quickly!!”
Lilia-san shouted, her face turning as red as a boiled octopus. But this was Lunamaria-san we were dealing with. She remained perfectly composed, letting the angry shouts wash over her like a light breeze.
“…Miyama-sama, Milady is the type who is weak to persistence. If you ask firmly enough, she’ll go along with most types of play, you know?”
“—!?!?”
“Hey, listen here, you no-good maid…”
She was clearly enjoying this. Of all the people to find us, why did it have to be her? I realized I had to use my last resort.
“…Lunamaria-san, please help us.”
“Oh, you must be joking… I couldn't possibly interfere with your blooming love…”
“If you don’t help us right now, I’m going to tell Kuro that Lunamaria-san was bullying me.”
“I shall rescue you immediately!!”
Snapping instantly into her Fanatic Mode, Lunamaria-san had us free in a matter of seconds.
Neither of us was hurt, but as soon as she was back on her feet, Lilia-san covered her beet-red face with her hands and sprinted out of the warehouse. I couldn't blame her; even if it was the only way to get help, being seen in that position was enough to make anyone want to vanish.
Lunamaria-san said she would take care of the warehouse later, so I stepped outside and made my way back to my room, the heat still lingering in my cheeks.
Dear Mother, Father—The accident ended in a very embarrassing fashion. I’m exhausted from the stress, but I’m glad I got to hear how Lilia-san really feels. I’ve realized it all over again: she is a truly kind person.
In the corner of her room, Lilia sat with her hands clamped over her bright red face.
“Uuuuuu… Luna, you idiot……”
“My, my. That was such a pity. If I had been just a few seconds later, I might have seen Lili’s momentous first kiss.”
“Wha—!? I-I-I told you, it’s a misunderstanding! Kaito-san and I aren’t… w-we aren't in that kind of relationship!”
Lilia shouted desperately, her face glowing. Lunamaria watched her master with a fond, mischievous smile.
“But if, hypothetically… Miyama-sama had tried to kiss you then… you would have accepted it, wouldn't you?”
“—!?!?!?”
“Fufufu, Lili really is an open book.”
“Lu-Luna!!”
Lilia’s face turned such a deep shade of crimson it looked as if steam might start billowing from her ears.
“Is it so bad? I’ve been telling you for a while now, haven't I? For someone with Lili’s terrible luck in romance, Miyama-sama is a rare… jackpot.”
“N-No, I mean… b-but Kaito-san’s feelings… and, well, there are so many things to consider…”
“In other words, you yourself aren't exactly unwilling.”
“—!?!?”
Lilia reached her limit, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Seeing her master so completely transparent, Lunamaria let out another wry chuckle.
“…Well, at this rate, it’ll probably take a while for things to actually progress. But you’ve started to see him that way, so that’s one step forward. I’m rooting for you.”